Need some advice

   Sorry guys i haven't been back sooner to say thanks for the tips. I have gone with my first choice. I haven't finished yet, but i have sprayed the white. I sprayed the Avenger white overall to give a more uniform colour to the blue. I should not have to lay down so many coats of blue that way either. I put extra coats of white where the markings will be. I am more inspired now that i have some paint on.

   Am going to cut the masks tonight. The weekend should be the big day. I am scared silly.. Pulling the masks off is what i am freaking out about. Wish me luck......

   Gigatron, i just didn't think it would be practical to paint white over such a dark blue.

   ABARNE, your thoughts about the masking were my thoughts too. It just seemed so much easier.

   Daywalker, great tip about using Future. I hadn't heard that one before. I don't think we have Future over here, i will try clear gloss intead.

   Anyway, thanks for all the input...

   Boomer...

Boomerang wrote:

Anyway, what i would like to ask is which way should i do the numbers and arrows? Should i spray white where i want the markings, cut the shapes and numbers out of tape, apply and spray the blue over them? Or should i spray the blue, then mask and spray white?

I would go with option 1, spraying white, masking the numbers, then spraying blue.  Although it's always easier to spray dark over light, more importantly, I think the masking in that scenario is easier.  I.e I find that it is easier to cut out a shape, such as a an arrow or number than it is to cut out a mask around a shape.  Although masking like that often inverts the painting order that would have been performed in actual life, if you keep the paint coats light and avoid building up the edges, it looks fine.

Andy

My suggestion would be, if it's an actual avenger, check with squadron.com to see if they have AM decals with those squadron markings.  You'd be surprised what decals are out there.

I think I've also seen hellcats bearing the white arrows, so that may be another avenue to check.

barring any of that, it's going to take quite a few coats of white to get coverage, so make sure you do light coats.  Personlly, I'd prefer to spray the white over the blue, as it would be easier to see.

Good luck no matter which route you go and be sure to post pictures when you're done.

-Fred

Wulf wrote:

Yep, your first idea is the best one. Especially if you have that dark blue to contend with. Andy

Just be sure not to spray on too much blue so that you have a paint edge to contend with.  Keep the coats thin, and you should be OK.  Another tip is to spray some Future around the masks BEFORE you start with the blue.  That way, if there is any bleed under it will be Future (which would be invisible) and it will seal any bad spots on the masks.  Just my

Yep, your first idea is the best one. Especially if you have that dark blue to contend with.

Andy